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STRS Ohio currently offers access to health care coverage for eligible benefit recipients with 15 or more years of qualifying service who participate in the Defined Benefit Plan or Combined Plan. Once the benefit recipient enrolls, dependents may be eligible for coverage. (Members retiring on or after Aug. 1, 2023, must have at least 20 years of qualifying service to enroll.)

Although access to health care is not guaranteed under Ohio law, STRS Ohio understands quality health care in retirement is important. This is why we offer health care plans that include hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage. STRS Ohio subsidizes individual monthly health care premiums for eligible benefit recipients. Covered dependents do not receive a premium subsidy. STRS Ohio also offers dental and vision coverage at an additional cost.

Includes:

Medicare Enrollment

Medicare Information Packet

The Medicare Information Packet is mailed to all health care program enrollees when it is time for them to enroll in Medicare. Enrollees with an email address on file will also receive an electronic notice from STRS Ohio.

Once you enroll in Medicare, you'll need to submit your Medicare information to STRS Ohio through your Online Personal Account or send us a copy of your Medicare card. If you have already enrolled, log in to your personal account to submit your Medicare information.

Medicare Webinar

Understanding Medicare and its requirements can sometimes be confusing. That’s why we offer the webinar, Medicare Enrollment and STRS Ohio. We’ll guide you through the Medicare enrollment process, provide information specific to new Medicare enrollees and address any questions you submit during the presentation. There is no cost to attend.

Understanding Medicare

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, some people with disabilities under age 65 and people with end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A common misconception is that Ohio educators do not qualify for Medicare because they did not contribute to Social Security. However, you are eligible for Medicare when you turn age 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

Medicare “Parts”

Part A (hospital insurance)

Most U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 65 or older qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) based on their own employment history. You are eligible for premium-free Part A at age 65 if you paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters while working in a federal, state or local government job (including public education). This applies to most STRS Ohio members. You also qualify for premium-free Part A coverage if you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits or you are eligible to receive these benefits but haven’t filed for them yet.

If you do not qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A based on your own employment history, you may qualify based on your current or former spouse’s work history if:

You are currently married for at least one year and your spouse is age 62 or older.

You are divorced and currently single, and you were married for at least 10 years.

You are widowed and currently single, and you were married for at least nine months before your spouse died.

Please note, your spouse does not need to apply for Social Security benefits for you to be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A based on his or her employment history.

Important: If you are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A at age 65 but you later become eligible through your spouse, you must contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare Part A at no cost. Prior to age 65, you may qualify for Medicare Part A if you have a qualifying disability, end-stage renal disease or ALS.

If you believe you are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, STRS Ohio will require a letter from your local Social Security Administration office confirming ineligibility.

Part B (medical insurance)

Almost every U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is age 65 or older (or under age 65 but eligible for Medicare Part A) can enroll in Medicare Part B. A monthly premium is required. If you believe you are not eligible for Medicare, STRS Ohio will require a letter from your local Social Security Administration office confirming ineligibility.

Part C (Medicare Advantage plans)

In addition to Parts A & B, Medicare offers Part C (Medicare Advantage plans). Medicare Advantage plans are approved by Medicare and administered by private companies. You do not need to enroll in Part C — enrollment in Parts A & B or Part B-only qualifies you for coverage under our group Medicare Advantage plans.

Part D (prescription drug insurance)

Medicare also offers Part D (prescription drug plans). If you want to remain enrolled in an STRS Ohio plan, you should not enroll in any other Part D plan — all of the medical plans we offer for enrollees with Medicare Parts A & B, Part A-only or Part B-only already include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Enrollment in any other Part D plan will cancel your STRS Ohio plan enrollment.

Medicare Enrollment Requirements

You qualify for Medicare at age 65 even if you did not contribute to Social Security.

Coverage type

Am I required to enroll?

What happens if I do not fulfill the requirement?

Part A (hospital)

Yes — You must enroll if premium-free coverage is available from Medicare.No — Do not enroll if you must pay a premium to Medicare.

If premium-free Part A is available and you do not enroll, you may not be eligible for an STRS Ohio medical plan.
If you must pay a Part A premium to Medicare, you do not need to enroll. However, if you later become eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A through your current or former spouse, you must sign up for Part A at no cost.

Part B (medical)

Yes — You must enroll and pay a monthly premium to Medicare.

If you do not enroll in Part B or you stop paying your monthly Part B premium to Medicare, you may not be eligible for an STRS Ohio medical plan.

No — Enrollment in Parts A & B or Part B-only qualifies you for coverage under STRS Ohio’s Medicare Advantage plans.

You must not enroll in any other Medicare Advantage plan if you want to keep your coverage under the Medicare Advantage plans administered by Aetna and Paramount.

Part D (prescription)

No — Part D prescription drug coverage is included in your STRS Ohio medical plan.

You must not enroll in any other Part D plan. If you do, your STRS Ohio coverage will be canceled.

How Medicare Works With Your STRS Ohio Coverage

Medicare Parts A & B do not replace your STRS Ohio coverage. Instead, Medicare works with your STRS Ohio plan to provide maximum hospital and medical coverage. In general, when you enroll in Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare becomes the primary payer of your hospital and medical expenses; STRS Ohio becomes the secondary payer. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, such as the Aetna Medicare Plan or Paramount Elite, the plan assumes responsibility for paying for covered services and receives payment from Medicare.

After you enroll in Medicare, you will pay two separate monthly premiums — a premium for STRS Ohio coverage (paid to STRS Ohio) and a premium for Medicare Part B coverage (paid to Medicare).

Can You Delay Medicare Enrollment if You Are Still Employed?

If you or your spouse is still employed and covered by a group health plan through the employer, you may choose to delay your enrollment in Medicare. However, if you delay your enrollment, you should be aware of the following:

You will have an eight-month special enrollment period in which to sign up for Medicare Part B after the employer health coverage ends or employment ends (whichever comes first). You will not be subject to a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during this special enrollment period.

If the employer has more than 20 employees, your employer health plan will be the primary payer of covered hospital and medical expenses. Your STRS Ohio plan will be the secondary payer.

If you discontinue the employer health coverage and fail to enroll in Medicare, you may not be eligible for an STRS Ohio medical plan.

Medicare Prior to Age 65

Some people under age 65 qualify for Medicare due to a qualifying disability benefit through the Social Security Administration, end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant) or ALS (a progressive neurodegenerative disease often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease). If you enroll in Medicare prior to age 65, you must send STRS Ohio proof of Medicare Parts A & B enrollment.

Note: If you are under age 65 and qualify for Medicare because of end-stage renal disease, there is a 30-month coordination period during which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires the STRS Ohio plan to be the primary payer of your hospital and medical expenses and Medicare to be the secondary payer. During this 30-month coordination period, you will be charged the monthly premium for enrollees without Medicare.

Enrolling in Medicare

When to Enroll in Medicare

Initial Enrollment Period

You have a seven-month initial enrollment period in which to sign up for Medicare. This period begins three months before you turn age 65, includes the month you turn age 65 and ends three months after the month of your birthday.

For coverage to be effective the month you turn age 65, you must sign up during the first three months of the initial enrollment period (one to three months before the month of your birthday). If you wait to sign up during the last four months of the period, your effective date of coverage under Medicare will be delayed.

Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare — Begins three months before and ends three months after the month you turn age 65

You will have NO DELAY in coverage if you enroll:

Three months before you turn 65

Two months before you turn 65

One month before you turn 65

Coverage begins the month you turn 65(If your birthday is the first of the month, coverage begins the first day of the previous month.)

You will have a DELAY in coverage if you enroll:

The month you turn 65

One month after you turn 65

Two months after you turn 65

Three months after you turn 65

Coverage begins one month after the month you enroll

Coverage begins two months after the month you enroll

Coverage begins three months after the month you enroll

Coverage begins three months after the month you enroll

General Enrollment Period

If you miss the initial enrollment period, you can enroll during a general enrollment period from Jan. 1 through March 31 each year. However, Medicare coverage is not effective until July 1 and a lifetime Medicare late enrollment penalty will apply.

Special Enrollment Period

If you delay enrollment at age 65 because you or your spouse is still employed and covered by a group health plan through the employer, you can enroll in Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period. Special enrollment allows you to enroll without paying a Part B late enrollment penalty during either of the following time frames:

At any time while you have employer health coverage (your own or through your spouse); or

During the eight-month period that begins the month employer health coverage ends or the month employment ends (whichever comes first). If you do not enroll by the end of the eighth month, general enrollment guidelines apply.

How to Enroll in Medicare

Enrolling in Medicare is an easy two-step process. However, it may take more than one month for the entire application process to be completed, so be sure to start the process before your 65th birthday.

Step 1 — Sign up for Medicare.

To enroll in Medicare, visit your local Social Security Administration office or call Social Security toll-free at 800‑772‑1213. If you are eligible for both Medicare Parts A & B, you can also enroll online at www.ssa.gov. (Medicare Part B-only applicants must visit or call Social Security to enroll.)

If you visit your local office, find out which documents to bring with you to your appointment. Be sure to apply for Medicare before your 65th birthday so there is no delay in Medicare coverage.

Step 2 — Send proof of Medicare enrollment to STRS Ohio.

After you enroll in Medicare, you must submit proof of Medicare enrollment to STRS Ohio by sending us a copy of your Medicare card or a copy of a letter from Social Security confirming Medicare enrollment. Mail a copy of your Medicare card to:

If you do not have a Medicare card or a letter from Social Security, you can send STRS Ohio a copy of any of the following Social Security Administration forms:

Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance Notice of Award;

Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information; or

Notice of Health Insurance Entitlement.

These are the only documents STRS Ohio can accept in lieu of a copy of your Medicare card or enrollment confirmation letter. STRS Ohio will not accept a letter acknowledging Medicare’s receipt of your enrollment application. Also, please check all information on your Medicare card for accuracy. If it is incorrect, contact Medicare to request a new card with the correct information.

The information you send to STRS Ohio must include your Medicare effective date and your Medicare claim number. Write your STRS Ohio account number on any documents you submit. (If you’re unsure of your account number, call STRS Ohio.) STRS Ohio must receive proof of Medicare enrollment by the 15th of the month to begin your participation in the Aetna Medicare Plan the first of the following month.

Selecting Your New STRS Ohio Plan

Your Plan Options Will Change

After you enroll in Medicare, the STRS Ohio plans available to you will change. Call STRS Ohio toll-free at 888‑227‑7877 to learn about your new plan options and premiums. You can also review this information in your STRS Ohio Online Personal Account.

IMPORTANT: If you do not submit proof of Medicare enrollment, you may not be eligible for an STRS Ohio medical plan.

Evaluating Your Plans

Your plan options as a Medicare enrollee are based on your Medicare status and the location of your permanent residence. Plans for Medicare enrollees include the Aetna Medicare Plan, the Medical Mutual Basic Plan or a regional plan if available in your area.

If you reside outside the United States, your STRS Ohio plan options are limited to the Medical Mutual Basic Plan. Medicare generally does not cover health care items and services furnished or delivered outside the United States. As a result, you will be responsible for submitting all claims to your plan administrator and for paying 80% of all claims expenses that would have been covered by Medicare.

Selecting Your Plan as a Medicare Enrollee

To select a plan, call STRS Ohio toll-free at 888‑227‑7877. You may select a new plan up to three months after your 65th birthday. The effective date of coverage under your new plan will be the first of the month following notification to STRS Ohio, if received by the 15th of the month. There will be no interruption in your health care coverage.

Be aware, your plan selection cannot be processed until STRS Ohio receives proof of Medicare enrollment. This applies even if you are selecting a plan offered by your current plan administrator. STRS Ohio must receive proof of Medicare enrollment by the 15th of the month. Any delay in submitting this proof will delay your enrollment in the plan you select as a Medicare enrollee.

If you are a Basic Plan enrollee who is eligible for the Aetna Medicare Plan, you will be enrolled in the Aetna Medicare plan after STRS Ohio receives proof of Medicare enrollment and Medicare approves your enrollment request. If you do not want the Aetna Medicare Plan, you must submit your request to be enrolled in the Medical Mutual Basic Plan (or a regional plan if available) when you submit proof of Medicare enrollment to STRS Ohio.

If you are a Paramount Health Care enrollee, you will be enrolled in Paramount Elite after STRS Ohio receives proof of Medicare enrollment and Medicare approves your enrollment request. If you do not want Paramount Elite, you must submit your request to be enrolled in the Aetna Medicare Plan or Medical Mutual Basic Plan when you submit proof of Medicare enrollment to STRS Ohio.

If you are selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, such as the Aetna Medicare Plan or Paramount Elite, you will not be officially enrolled in the plan until Medicare approves your enrollment request. Additionally, once enrolled, you must not subsequently sign up for another Medicare Advantage plan. If you do, your STRS Ohio coverage will be canceled.

Note: If you change plan administrators, your medical deductible and out-of-pocket maximums will transfer to the new plan administrator only if you move between an Aetna plan and a Medical Mutual plan.

After You Enroll in Medicare

Paying Your Medicare Part B Premiums

Your Medicare Part B premium is not included in your monthly STRS Ohio health care premium. It is a separate premium that must be paid to Medicare, not to STRS Ohio.

If you receive a monthly Social Security, Railroad Retirement or Civil Service Retirement payment, your Medicare Part B premium will be deducted automatically from this payment. Otherwise, Medicare will send you a bill for your Part B premium every three months. Another payment option is to have your Part B premium automatically deducted through Medicare Easy Pay. This is a free, electronic payment option offered by Medicare. Through Medicare Easy Pay, Medicare automatically deducts the premium payment from your savings or checking account. To sign up for Medicare Easy Pay, call Medicare toll-free at 800‑633‑4227.

Remember, you must pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium before the due date to avoid cancellation of your Medicare Part B coverage. If your Part B coverage is canceled, you may not be eligible for an STRS Ohio medical plan.

Understanding Your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

After you enroll in Medicare, the prescription drug coverage included in your STRS Ohio medical plan will be provided under a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan administered by Express Scripts. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B, Part A-only or Part B-only.

Donot enroll in any other Medicare Part D plan. Medicare does not allow enrollment in more than one Medicare Part D plan. If you enroll in another Medicare Part D plan, your STRS Ohio medical and prescription drug coverage will be canceled. Also, if you decline coverage under the Medicare Part D plan included in your STRS Ohio plan, your STRS Ohio medical coverage will be canceled. Before making any changes to your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage, call STRS Ohio to find out how your STRS Ohio coverage will be affected.

Extra Fees for Late Enrollments and Higher Incomes

Medicare charges late enrollment penalties if you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B or go 63 days or more without Medicare Part D or creditable prescription drug coverage. This additional cost will be charged as long as you have Medicare coverage. Also, Medicare Part B and Part D enrollees with higher annual incomes are subject to monthly Medicare surcharges. Surcharges vary by income levels set by Medicare (currently $85,000+ for individuals; $170,000+ for married couples.) Failure to pay surcharges will result in cancellation of your STRS Ohio medical coverage. Visit www.ssa.gov for more information.

Partial Medicare Part B Premium Reimbursement

Currently, service retirement and disability benefit recipients who are enrolled in an STRS Ohio medical plan and provide proof of Medicare Part B enrollment may receive partial reimbursement to offset the standard monthly premium charged by Medicare for Part B coverage. Effective Jan. 1, 2019, Medicare Part B premium reimbursement will be discontinued.

If STRS Ohio receives proof of your Medicare Part B enrollment by the 15th of the month, partial reimbursement of the benefit recipient’s future standard Medicare Part B premium cost will begin the first of the following month. If verification is received after the 15th of the month, partial premium reimbursement will begin the first day of the second following month. Partial reimbursement is not retroactive.

If you’re eligible to receive a Medicare Part B premium reimbursement through more than one Ohio public retirement system, specific guidelines apply. It’s your responsibility to contact STRS Ohio to determine which system is responsible for providing your reimbursement; you may not receive more than one Part B premium reimbursement. Please call STRS Ohio for Medicare Part B premium reimbursement guidelines.

Medicare Part B-Covered Drugs and Supplies

Medicare Part B covers a limited number of drugs/supplies as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Following are examples of drugs/supplies covered by Medicare Part B:

If you are enrolled in a plan administered by Aetna or Medical Mutual, the STRS Ohio Health Care Program will pay your portion of costs for select Medicare Part B-covered drugs/supplies that are coordinated with Medicare. When a claim for a covered drug or supply is coordinated with Medicare Part B, the claim is submitted to Medicare first for primary payment and then to the medical plan for secondary payment, leaving you with no copayment for drugs/supplies dispensed by a participating Medicare retail pharmacy.

Qualifying for Extra Help With Prescription Drug Costs

Medicare offers a low-income subsidy program to qualified participants in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Under the program (also called Extra Help), participants may pay a lower deductible and lower copayment amounts for covered prescription drugs. Medicare, not STRS Ohio, determines if participants qualify for the subsidy program.

Medicare works directly with Express Scripts to determine if you qualify for assistance. If you qualify, Express Scripts will send you a letter informing you about the program.

If you receive a letter from Express Scripts, you will be enrolled automatically in the subsidy program offered by Medicare. If you do not receive a letter and believe you may qualify for assistance, you can call Medicare directly for more information or to request an application.

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